On February 28, 1986, Cabell and six others were suspended for the entire season for admitting during the Pittsburgh drug trials that they were involved in cocaine abuse. The suspensions for all seven were avoided after agreeing to large anti-drug donations and community service.[5]

He played MLB for fifteen seasons. In 1993, Cabell was inducted into the Houston Astros Hall of Fame.[4] Currently, he serves as a special assistant to Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow.[6]

In December 2008, Tennessee TitansquarterbackVince Young filed suit against Cabell and two others for applying for a trademark to use Young's initials and "Invinceable" nickname to sell products without Young's permission in 2006. The suit claims that their use of Young's name has damaged endorsement deals for Young; he is asking the court to give him the exclusive rights to use the initials and nickname. Cabell denies any wrongdoing.[7]